Millions of Children in West and Central Africa Denied Education Due to Ongoing Conflicts
Ongoing conflicts in West and Central Africa have disrupted the education of around 2.8 million children, with over 14,000 schools closed in the regions. Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for close to 30% of all out-of-school children globally, with Nigeria, Cameroon, Burkina Faso, Mali, and the Democratic Republic of Congo being the most affected by the crisis.
As armed conflicts ravage communities, access to basic survival needs becomes a priority over education. Violence directly targets schools, causing a catastrophic denial of education. Dr. Ibrahim Baba Shatambaya emphasizes the challenges faced by internally displaced individuals who struggle to meet basic needs.
The situation in Nigeria is dire, with over 15.23 million children out of school, predominantly in regions affected by the Boko Haram insurgency. The crisis in Cameroon’s Anglophone regions is equally concerning, with over 700,000 children out of school due to targeted attacks by armed separatist groups.
The long-term consequences of denying education to millions of children in Africa are catastrophic. Ndimancho warns of the effects of underdevelopment, unemployment, and corruption, emphasizing the need for African-led solutions to address the root causes of conflict.